Piece Unique Voutilainen 28SC

Likely a piece unique, this 28SC is amongst the most restrained pieces Kari Voutilainen has made. Typically, pieces such as the Vingt-8 sported a petite seconds with its own guilloché. The 28SC embraced a degree of sporting edge via centre seconds in its place. In addition, the classic teardrop lug evolved to this slightly more contemporary and designed shape. Ten were created in steel, but this is the only example to feature a completely blue dial in all elements.

Kari Voutilainen’s watches are entirely made in traditional technique, from things you might not see obviously like burnishing techniques to the fact that each hour or minute hand represents almost a day’s work. And while the 28SC might visually look somewhat indistinct, things have evolved much since the Observatoire. This is the remarkable double-wheel escapement that provides a direct impulse. The balance is oversized, with its hairspring utilizing both a Breguet overcoil and Grossmann interior curve. The movement is deceptively simple appearing, until closer study. Closer study also rewards, in observation of the anglage roundness, countersinking, Geneva stripes, and solarization.

The 28SC is a more alternative and sporting choice within Voutilanine relative to any Vingt-8 or Observatoire, but it has developed its own cult following. With the prominent market preference for more sporting cases, this is about as far as Kari has pursued that path. This example, with its blue-on-blue specification, is quite complicated escapement tech, perfect finishing in the details, all in this classic-contemporary juxtaposition. Alongside a decimal repeater at the upcoming auction, it may be the one to go under the radar—sold by the original owner. It comes with the full kit.